Chapter 1243

Mason eyed the bowl of medicine, then glanced at Josefina's sweet, harmless- looking face.

"My life's basically in your hands," he said slowly. "If you wanted me gone, I wouldn't live to see tomorrow. I trust you completely."

Josefina burst out laughing, and Mason had to admit, she saw right through him.

There was something about her laugh-so pure, so unguarded. Mason couldn't remember the last time he'd seen someone smile like that. A girl like her seemed so easy to get along with.

But just then, out of the corner of her eye, Josefina spotted a black snake wriggling along the floor.

In one swift move, she grabbed something nearby and pinned the snake down, striking right at its weak spot.

Mason just stared, speechless.

He took back everything he'd just thought about her being pure and innocent.

Josefina and her crew reminded him of that old saying-never judge a book by its cover. None of them were what they seemed.

Josefina called out, “Take a look at that snake. It's not normal—definitely not your average backyard snake."

Tori stepped over to check it out, but not before pulling on the gloves Annika tossed his way—no one wanted to take chances with something that venomous.

Mason finally shook off his shock, watching the snake with an icy gaze.

"That's a tracking serpent," she said quietly. "It can follow my scent, no matter where I hide."

Everyone went quiet. They all knew what that meant her location was blown.

But Josefina didn't even flinch. She was the picture of calm.

“So what?” she said. “The snake didn't make it back. It didn't get to send any messages home, so no one knows you're here. No proof, no problem."

Her calm was contagious. Mason felt her own panic fade, replaced by a quiet confidence. The rest of the group seemed steadier, too.

“Let's take the snake back and study it,” Josefina said. “With venom that strong, we might be able to make something valuable out of it.”

The idea of creating medicine from such a deadly snake was tempting.

Mason grinned, a little mischief in her eyes. "Leave it to me. Whatever I make, it's all yours."

Josefina agreed without hesitation-she was more than happy to pass on the trouble.

"Deal. It's yours. If anything comes up, just let me know. Relax and stay here make sure everyone keeps an eye out for you."

Mason was genuinely touched. Josefina had saved her given her another shot at life.

"Thank you, Josefina."

No matter what Josefina's reasons were, anyone who protected her was a good person in Mason's book.

...

Meanwhile, the old driver was still being questioned, but he wouldn't budge on his story.

Oliver heard about it, his face unreadable.

Harry spoke up, testing the waters. "Mr. Oliver, what he's saying doesn't look good for you."

What he really wanted to suggest was taking the guy out, quick and quiet.

Oliver cut him off with a sharp look. “Harry, did you leave your brain at home today?"

This wasn't a mess you could just make disappear.

"Sorry, Mr. Oliver. I'm just worried about you. I didn't think it through," Harry mumbled, head down.

Asher jumped in. "Mr. Oliver, that

driver's got to be working for Cole

I've run through every

possibility he's the only one wit any motive."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Come on, you don't need to run the numbers. It's obvious." Asher went quiet.

Oliver didn't bother with their bickering. He was still turning things over in his mind.

"Have you two found anything from following Wilder and Sandi?” he asked.

Harry answered, “Wilder's keeping it

simple just hanging out with new

people in Westwood. No sign he's reaching out to anyone from his past." .

Asher nodded. "Sandi's the same. Clean circle, nothing out of the ordinary."

Oliver nodded. "If Cole and Makiko are up to something, Sandi and Wilder aren't involved."